Livestock Coalition Calls for Hearing on Renewable Fuel Impact

The American Meat Institute (AMI) has joined a coalition of U.S. livestock and poultry industry associations in requesting a hearing to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard’s (RFS) impact on the economy.

In requesting the hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, the groups cited ongoing pressure on domestic feedgrain supplies and the discovery of $9 million of fraudulent renewable identification numbers.

“In light of ongoing pressures that the RFS is placing on the domestic feedgrain supplies, something must be done to protect livestock and poultry producers from excessively high corn prices because of the rigid RFS compliance system,” the groups told the committee in a letter. “Therefore, we request that the Senate hold a hearing to examine the continued pressure on grain supplies and the impact that it is having on the bottom line of livestock and poultry producers.”

The letter noted that a 2011 National Academy of Sciences study found that since 2007, the diversion of portions of the corn crop to ethanol production has been a contributing factor in the increased strain on livestock and poultry producers. Other factors also play a role, but the RFS mandate is the one area that the U.S. government can control, the groups said.

“Not only are the meat and poultry industries asking the Senate committee to make an attempt to understand the impact on farmers and ranchers, but we are also asking the committee to consider the impact on the American consumer,” the groups said.

The National Pork Producers Council was among the groups signing the letter.